Sam's Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Scotland

I moved to Inverness over 20 years ago, and in that time, the city center has transformed in countless ways. Businesses have come and gone, trends have risen and faded, but one thing has remained steadfast: Sam’s Indian Restaurant. Through all the changes, Sam’s has been a constant—a warm, welcoming beacon of incredible Indian cuisine.

My family and I have dined with Sam many times over the years, and one thing that has always stood out is his consistency. Even as the world—and the hospitality industry—changed after COVID, Sam’s dedication to great food and exceptional service never wavered. In a time when people are more mindful of how they spend their time and money, Sam’s continues to deliver a unique and personal dining experience that’s increasingly rare in Inverness.

What sets Sam’s apart isn’t just the food (which is always fantastic), but the thoughtful touches that make every visit memorable. Sam himself takes the time to speak with guests, ensuring every order is just right. On one morning visit, I even caught him arranging fresh flowers—a small detail that perfectly captures the care and pride he puts into his restaurant.

Many restaurants in Inverness have lost their spark, but Sam’s remains a shining example of what great hospitality looks like. Every visit feels special, whether you’re dining in or calling for takeout.

If you’re visiting Inverness and considering the city’s more well-known spots like Rockpool, Café 1, or Mustard Seed, I urge you to make room in your itinerary for Sam’s Indian Restaurant. It’s not about flashy décor or high ceilings; it’s about the taste of his food and the heart behind every dish. And yes, the place is spotless, which is just as important.

Thank you, Sam, for your unwavering hospitality. I can’t wait for...

Expectations were high.

Expectation were exceeded!

Sam's 25 Dec menu and experience is not one that I'll forget, long into the New Year.

I arrive to a warm welcome and it seems a hive of waiters at my bidding.

I usually know what I'm ordering, but this menu sure puts the brain cells to work. The choice seems as wide as the ocean, and I imagine that I'm reading something from the Queen Mary or Titanic (without the sinking feeling)

Let's start with starurrs, as they say round here. I go for lentil soup. Now this is a useful bit of multiculturalism to find this served. It's culturally perfect. Warm, sweet, cosy, comforting. Crunchy too. Cooked just right. It calls associations of winter evenings, fires flowing, cats purring and grans nodding on rocking chairs.

Course two promptly arrives. The service is excellent. I've gone for a razzla. Never heard of it? Neither had I! Its ra ra indeed. Hot and sweet and exotic dish, made me think of jungle, rainforest, diners sitting together in a circle, discussing, eating, savouring.

Well, they say all good things come to an end. Not there yet though as there is pudding. Note that name. Not desert, which I always associate with camels.

Here I go traditional and take a good home made xmas pudding. Rich and tasty, not too sweet, nor thankfully too much.

All this is washed down with a lovely hot coffee.

The atmosphere is merry, seasonal, but not artificial or falsely exuberant. In fact, everything about today, welcome, waiters, dishes, service and seating chimes perfectly.

Talking of chimes, I'll ensure that I come back here early in the New...

First of all, we visited during COVID restriction time, and was glad to see staff adhering to the regs with plenty sanitiser and the wearing of masks. A lovely young long-fair headed lass was our server for the evening and she was lovely and attentive without being overly so! Unlike one of the male servers - no longer had we our starter than he kept asking if we were ready for our mains? Ummm no thanks. I had the largest bowl of Prawn Cocktail I’ve ever had - although peculiarly it was served on a hot dish? Cold prawns, salad & sauce should NEVER be warm 🙈. That may well have attributed to the upset stomach I later had that night. Sadly, no alcohol served due to the restrictions but £7 for two SODA WATERS & LIME IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS!!! Especially when the soda was flat as my shoe and not ice cold despite having a LITTLE ice in them 🙄. £7 for two pints of carbonated water with a DASH OF LIME? Trading Standards need to be looking into that caper!!! And the bill was snatched from the table just as I was ready to take a photo of it by one of the male servers 🌪.... The mains were the usual huge portions for an Indian meal, I loved mine but my husband was less than enamoured with his dish - wasn’t as spicy as it usually is when he has it in other Indian Restaurants - ‘very bland’ was his description. The naan bread however was absolutely delicious, fresh and cooked to perfection. Only 2-3 stars due to the ridiculous overpriced soft drinks, and the prawn salad dish served on a warm charger plate 🤢. Sorry Sam’s, we won’t...